Germectomy or delayed removal of mandibular impacted third molars: the relationship between age and incidence of complications

Abstract

Purpose: To analyze and compare complications and side effects after removal of 1,500 mandibular impacted third molar teeth in three age groups.

Materials and methods: The sample comprised 868 patients, 462 women and girls and 406 men and boys aged 9 to 67 years. The patients were divided according to age into the following three groups: group A, aged 9 to 16 years; group B, aged 17 to 24 years; group C, older than 24 years of age.

Results: The incidence of complications and side effects was 2.6% in group A, 2.8% in group B, and 7.4% in group C. All complications were temporary except in one instance of mandibular nerve paresthesia that occurred in a group C patient, in whom symptoms were still present 25 months after surgery.

Conclusion: This study showed no significant difference in the complication rate between groups A and B, but complications significantly increased in group C.